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How Toddlers Grow
A Look at Development During Your Child's Second Year of Life
By Renee Roberson
Your child's gross motor skills will continue to flourish after his first birthday as well. "Many 15-month-olds can stoop and recover, which is squatting down, picking something up and standing back up," says Dr. Carole Allen, president of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Your toddler may also enjoy picking up and throwing a ball by this age.
Your toddler will most likely be off and running by the age of 18 months. To help practice fine motor skills, work on stacking two to three blocks with him and letting him work on holding crayons between the thumb and forefinger. Games such as "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" should be a hit with your toddler and can help teach the individual body parts in a fun manner. "He might be able to point to some of his own body parts, scribble and dump objects form a bottle or jar spontaneously," Dr. Kahn says.
Some parents believe potty training should begin between the ages of 18 months and 2 years of age, but it's best to follow your child's cues for readiness. "Begin toilet training when your child is ready but remember that most girls train around 2 1/2 years of age and most boys train closer to 3 years of age," Dr. Kahn says.
While your toddler's motor skills might be advancing at a rapid-fire pace, expect an increased vocabulary not to be too far behind. "By 18 months of age, a toddler should have 10 words they use consistently," Murphy says. "They should be able to communicate with a family member and follow simple directions."